Senior Assistant Economist: Europe, Services and Trade Analysis
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 20th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Economist
International Trade
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). We are the UK government department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.
The roles are located in the EU, Services and Trade Analysis Team (ESTA) embedded in DBT’s EU Hub.
The unit provides analytical support to the department’s EU Hub for the development of our trade and investment relationship with European partner countries and the EU. Our work has significantly increased in priority following the government’s ‘reset’ with the EU and agreement with the European Commission to, ‘strengthen cooperation at pace’ including on the economy and to hold regular leader-level Summits.
The unit enhances our capability to understand and investigate the evolution and drivers of trade and investment dynamics with our European partners to provide ministers and senior officials with expert analytical advice to inform strategic decision-making including important roles in the new Industrial and Trade Strategies.
We also provide analysis to support important new domestic policies such as the UK Internal Market Act and Responsible Business Conduct.
The multi-disciplinary unit is hiring 2 Senior Assistant Economists with strong technical and/or policy analysis skills and a passion for designing and delivering high quality, creative and highly impactful analysis.
Team description – TCA Impacts, Implementation and Insights Team, Europe, Services and Trade Analysis- EU, Services & Trade directorate
The unit has over 30 analysts working on EU and some domestic policies with a strong focus on sharing skills and expertise, for example coding. We hold regular social events in the office and outside.
Working alongside the colleagues, the two Senior Assistant Economist roles provide analysis to support the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) implementation and DBT’s strategic thinking for the UK/EU economic relationship, particularly important given the government’s reset of the UK/EU relationship and commitment to, ‘strengthen cooperation at pace’.
These roles support the EU Hub policy teams and European analysis teams in DBT, working closely with different professions across DBT as well as high profile work with other Government Departments including DESNZ, HMT, FCDO and CO.
The roles can be adjusted depending on the successful applicants’ interests and development opportunities, but an idea of what the roles could involve are given below.
Job description
Role 1 -EU Strategy and UK Internal Market Analysis
The role could include:
- (I) Analysis of trade data for key EU member states to support UK-EU engagement opportunities in delivering DBT’s EU priorities, and working with colleagues across the department, across other key departments and overseas networks to support Senior Officials and Ministers on EU engagements.
- (ii) Analysis contributing to DBT’s EU strategy so we can maximise our trading relationship with the EU and support UK businesses grow and export.
- (iii) Producing analysis related to the impact of potential instances of regulatory divergence within the UK Internal Market. Engaging stakeholders cross-Whitehall to develop the evidence base on the impact of existing and future divergence.
Role 2 – TCA Implementation and Responsible Business Conduct Analysis
The role could include:
- (i) Supporting DBT’s analytical work regarding the EU in an ever-changing global context and ensure that UK trade and business interests are represented in analysis in Brussels and for Post in EU Member States.
- (ii) Producing analysis related to DBT-owned Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) chapters including Level Playing Field (LPF) provisions allowing open and fair competition with EU businesses, and EU subsidisation.
- (iii) Producing analysis on the impact of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) policies on the performance of UK businesses, the wider economy and worker rights and environmental standards. Leading analysis related to potential RBC due diligence approaches, including examining evidence on market failures, the scale of costs and benefits for business, the effectiveness of interventions in addressing market failures. Working cross-Whitehall and with EU Member States to develop the evidence base on the impact of existing and future RBC policies. Understanding the impact of RBC policies has been identified as a key priority for the government.
- (iv) Analysing and contributing to the evidence base and discussions on the regulatory environment regarding the UK/EU relationship.
Person specification
We’re looking for dynamic and energised applicants who are comfortable delivering at pace to a high quality. This role will suit someone who is highly motivated by analysis and trade, naturally collaborative and analytically curious.
DBT’s Analysis Group welcomes applications from people with a diversity of backgrounds.
Essential Criteria
- To possess or expected to have a first or upper second-class honours degree with at least 50% of the modules in economics or have a master's in economics.
- You should be able to demonstrate competency at SEO level for the Government Economic Service membership within the interview (See GES Technical Framework).
- Previous experience of using and manipulating statistics and large data sets.
- Able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and capable of deploying a range of economic analytical approaches to answer policy questions.
- Experience of using analysis to inform decision making and an eye for detail.
- Experience of presenting analysis and evidenced based decision making to non-technical and technical audiences, whilst being able to rationalise and critique decision making.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other analysts including social researchers and statisticians, with strong communication skills to communicate effectively and persuade within the department.
This role is an excellent opportunity to develop and evidence stretching competencies.
Memberships
- You will become a full member of the Government Economic Service (GES) upon successful application.
- If currently a member, your membership department will change over.
Qualifications
• Modules must have covered both micro and macroeconomics to qualify.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Application of Knowledge (via seen presentation)
- Analysis of Data (via seen presentation)
- Effective Communication (via seen presentation)
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Economist at the grade applied for
Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the Government Economic Service (GES). Details can be found in the GES Framework. These will be assessed during the selection process, including at both sift of your written application and interview. Applicants who are civil servants but not members of the GES and anyone applying from outside government must be able to demonstrate you meet the requirements of the GES, as successful appointment will include membership of the GES.
For applicants applying after more than a couple of years after university, who are not an existing member of the Government Economic Service relevant experience consists of experience working on economic analysis or research including for example in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GES through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your economic experience and skills covering the three components of the GES technical framework.
In the interview, we will also assess your technical economic skills by asking you to present on a pre-prepared topic which will be given to you in advance, for up to 10 minutes. Additional technical economic questions will also be asked as part of the interview.
All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GES profession set out in the GES Technical Framework – a copy which can be obtained from the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
- Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
- A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
- This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
Vetting
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Matthew Bowhill
- Email : matthew.bowhill2@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
